SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 68: Continuous Ascension!

Discovering his Tier 2 [Soul Assimilation] and gaining the A-Grade [Predator’s Mark] from a single fang left Daniel energized, despite the Mire’s oppressive atmosphere.

The potential for growth had, once again, expanded exponentially.

He looked at Nyx, his Shadow Wolf Pup familiar, who was now proudly parading around the small cave with the Gloomfang Devourer fang, occasionally letting out a surprisingly fierce growl at imaginary enemies.

"She’s certainly taken a liking to her new chew toy," Lia commented, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

She was seated comfortably on a thermal blanket, her B-Grade Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword resting beside her, its emerald glow a comforting presence.

"That new skill you acquired, [Predator’s Mark], it sounds exceptionally useful for a Hunter, Daniel.

Especially in an environment like this, where stealth and surprise are paramount."

Ayra, who had finally given up trying to teach Nyx advanced rock-smashing techniques and was now meticulously sharpening the already razor edge of her great-axe, grunted in agreement.

"Yeah, yeah, fancy tracking smells. Just point me at whatever needs to be turned into a red smear on the landscape, Vance.

All these upgrades are making my axe arm twitch." She flexed, her berserker-enhanced muscles rippling under her torn Vanguard uniform.

Daniel chuckled. "Patience, Ayra. We’ll find plenty of things for you to introduce to your axe’s finer points.

But first, more testing." His eyes fell on Nyx again. The "Genetic Essence Extraction" worked on beast fragments.

Could it work on his familiar? Nyx, despite being only Level 1, possessed B-Grade potential and a latent Shadow Affinity.

Her "gene fragments" might yield something interesting.

He approached Nyx, who looked up from her fang-chewing adventure, her luminous blue eyes curious.

"Hey there, girl," Daniel said softly, kneeling beside her. "Mind if I borrow a tiny bit of that impressive shadow-fluff of yours?

For science, of course." He projected a feeling of gentle curiosity and reassurance through their familiar bond.

Nyx tilted her head, then, after a moment, seemed to understand.

She let out a soft yip and nudged his hand with her snout, then presented her flank, as if offering a sample.

She was surprisingly cooperative, perhaps sensing the beneficial nature of his talent, or maybe just hoping for more exciting chew toys.

"Good girl," Daniel praised, carefully plucking a small tuft of her surprisingly soft, midnight-black fur.

It tingled faintly with her nascent shadow energy.

He focused his intent, activating [Soul Assimilation] Tier 2.

<Assimilate Gene Fragment?> Yes.

A delicate stream of shadowy energy, much finer and more subtle than the raw power from the Devourer’s fang, flowed into him.

It felt elusive, infused with the concepts of silence and misdirection.

[Genetic Essence Extraction successful on Shadow Wolf Pup Fur (B-Grade Potential Familiar Sample)!]

[Unique Trait Essence Acquired: Shadow’s Veil (Minor)]

[Minor Skill Fragment Acquired: ’Silent Step’ (E-Grade - Reduces footfall noise.)]

[Attempting Skill Fusion: Existing skill [Aura Concealment (C-Grade)] and new fragment ’Silent Step (E-Grade)’ show compatibility with latent ’Shadow Affinity’ from Nyx’s essence.]

[Fusion Successful! New Skill Acquired: TRACELESS PASSAGE (B-Grade)!]

[Assimilation Charge Consumed (28/30 Remaining).]

Another fusion! And a B-Grade stealth skill from a simple tuft of puppy fur! Daniel eagerly checked the details.

[Skill: Traceless Passage (B-Grade): Passive/Active Skill. Passively, user’s aura is significantly dampened, making them harder to detect by magical or psionic senses.

Footsteps and movement sounds are naturally muted. Actively, can completely suppress all personal sound and scent for up to 5 minutes, rendering user exceptionally stealthy. Ineffective against highly acute or specialized sensory abilities.]

This was a phenomenal upgrade to his stealth capabilities! His old C-Grade [Aura Concealment] was decent, but [Traceless Passage] was on another level, offering both passive dampening and active, total silence and scent suppression.

Combined with his A-Grade [Shadow Glide], he could become a true ghost, undetectable by almost any conventional means. The synergy was perfect.

"You, my little shadow-fluff," Daniel said, scratching Nyx behind the ears, "are officially my new favorite source of upgrade materials."

Nyx seemed to preen under the praise, then promptly tried to eat his A-Grade Phantom Edge Striking Wraps. "Okay, maybe not the wraps."

Lia watched the interaction with a fascinated smile. "Your talent, Daniel... it truly is remarkable.

The ability to draw power and skills from such... diverse sources. It explains a great deal about your rapid progression."

"Let’s just say it encourages resourcefulness," Daniel replied cryptically.

He then turned his attention to another aspect of his Tier 2 talent: the ’Matter Enhancement Protocol Omega’.

It promised more efficient and potent item upgrades. He still had plenty of charges. Lia’s B-Grade staff-sword was already powerful, but could it be better?

"Lia," he said, "may I see your Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword for a moment? I think I can... fine-tune its attunement a little."

Lia, trusting him implicitly after witnessing his abilities and his earlier generosity, handed him the beautiful weapon.

It hummed faintly in his grasp, its living wood warm, the Lifestone core pulsing with gentle energy.

Daniel focused his intent, channeling a charge of [Soul Assimilation] into the staff-sword.

The Tier 2 enhancement protocol felt different, more controlled, more deeply penetrating than his previous item upgrades.

"Boom!"

A soft pulse of emerald and gold light erupted from the staff-sword, washing over the small cave.

The air filled with the scent of fresh spring blossoms and ancient forests.

The light faded, leaving the weapon looking subtly different, its green wood richer, the crystal pommel glowing with a deeper, more vibrant light.

[Soul Assimilation successful on B-Grade Equipment: Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword (Tier 2 Enhancement Protocol Omega)!]

[Item Reforged and Amplified by SSS-Grade Talent Synergy!]

[Item Evolved: Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword (B-Grade) has become STAFF OF THE WORLD ASH (A-Grade)!]

[Assimilation Charge Consumed (27/30 Remaining).]

A-Grade! Daniel grinned, handing the newly transformed staff back to Lia.

"I believe you’ll find its... ’attunement’... significantly improved."

Lia gasped as she took the Staff of the World Ash. It felt lighter, yet thrummed with far greater power. Its connection to her [Lifeweave Affinity] was amplified tenfold.

[Equipment: Staff of the World Ash (A-Grade)]

Effects: Dual Form (Staff/Rapier). Attack +250 (Rapier form), Spell Effect +50%, Healing Potency +40%, Mana Regeneration +20%.

Special Effect: [Lifewell Bloom] When channeling a healing spell, can trigger an AOE burst of potent rejuvenating energy, cleansing moderate negative status effects and providing a temporary vitality shield to allies within a 10-meter radius.

Uses: 10/10. Cooldown: 3 hours per charge.

New Property: [Whispers of the Ancient Grove] ,User gains minor affinity with plant life, can sense disturbances in natural environments, and healing spells are slightly more effective on nature-aligned beings.

"Daniel... it’s... it’s magnificent," Lia breathed, her voice filled with awe. The upgrade was staggering.

The AOE cleanse was now a potent heal and shield, with more uses and a shorter cooldown. And the new passive property, Whispers of the Ancient Grove, added a whole new layer to her capabilities.

She felt an even deeper connection to the life energies around her.

Ayra, who had been watching with grudging interest, whistled.

"Okay, Vance, that’s not just ’fine-tuning.’ You basically gave her magic stick a divine intervention.

Can you do that to my axe? Make it scream the dying wishes of my enemies, perhaps?"

Daniel chuckled. "Maybe later, Ayra. My axe-enchanting skills are still under development."

He looked at his remaining charges. Twenty-seven. Enough for more upgrades, but he also wanted to save some for emergencies or particularly potent "gene fragments."

His C-Grade Reinforced Shard-Tip Bow was still a weak link in his arsenal.

He pulled out the bow. One more upgrade. He focused, channeling the Tier 2 protocol.

"Boom!"

Another pulse of energy, this one less dramatic, more focused. The bow seemed to straighten, its makeshift sinew wrappings integrating seamlessly, the shard-tips glowing faintly.

[Soul Assimilation successful on C-Grade Equipment: Reinforced Shard-Tip Bow (Tier 2 Enhancement Protocol Omega)!]

[Item Enhanced: Reinforced Shard-Tip Bow upgraded to B-Grade.]

[New Stats: Attack +300. Energy Channeling vastly improved. Arrow velocity and precision significantly increased.

Can now withstand user’s peak Strength draw without structural failure. Grants minor [Eagle Eye] passive effect]

[Assimilation Charge Consumed (26/30 Remaining).]

B-Grade! Finally, a bow that wouldn’t feel like a toy in his hands.

Attack +300 was very respectable, and the passive [Eagle Eye] effect was a welcome bonus for his Hunter class.

He could now confidently deliver his specialized arrows with lethal force and precision.

With their gear significantly upgraded and Daniel’s talent reaching a new tier of terrifying potential, the team felt more prepared than ever.

The Whispering Mire, with its heavy gloom and eerie whispers, still stretched ahead.But now, they faced it not just as survivors, but as a burgeoning force, ready to carve their path through its shadowy depths.

The hunt for Yang cards, and the next stage of their Vanguard assessment, was about to get a lot more proactive.